You're More Fun When You're Awake

This Christmas it's just been me and my youngest sister, Leslie, at home. It's been great because of how incredible of a person she is.

After Mom and Kelly left around noon on Christmas Day, Dad came down from Idaho Falls and we took a drive to the farm with him. Got some great pics of some deer just off the road (unfortunately on Dad's camera so I don't have them to show) and got to see Peggy and John and their cute little daughter, Emma, up at Jimmie and Annabeth's place.

That night, after Dad had headed back, Leslie and I just hung around for a while... long enough for me to get mocked for drawing a brown Christmas tree (yeah, I'm color blind, leave me alone). We eventually decided to drive down to Logan and watch Sherlock Holmes. Great movie.

I think my favorite part of Christmas is Christmas Eve. The Christmas spirit is so real to me on that night. I don't know why I get so emotional, but it gets me all teary eyed and stuff when I think about the fact that there are people out there cold, hungry, or alone on Christmas Eve. I just pray that they can feel some comfort. I wish I had that big of a heart year round and did more about it. I'm so fortunate to have a great family to spend these times with.

One of my favorite movies is "It's a Wonderful Life" and my favorite part is the line at the end: "No man is poor who has friends." Regardless of what my finances may or may not say about my worth and wealth, I truly believe that, between my family and friends, I'm the richest man alive.

Calvin and Hobbes

"It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what’s cool."

I miss childhood. I really do. I've recently been re-captivated by one of my favorite childhood memories. Calvin and Hobbes. When I read this comic strip, I'm transferred back into life as a kid. I'm amused at Bill Watterson's satirical view of adult life and the world as portrayed through the eyes of a six year old.

Calvin: It’s hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.

Calvin: Mom and Dad say I should make my life an example of the principles I believe in…But every time I do, they tell me to stop it.

Calvin: I think life should be more like TV. I think all of life’s problems ought to be solved in 30 minutes with simple homilies, don’t you? I think weight and oral hygiene ought to be our biggest concerns. I think we should all have powerful, high-paying jobs, and everyone should drive fancy sports cars. All our desires should be instantly gratified. Women should always wear tight clothing, and men should carry powerful handguns. Life overall should be more glamorous, thrill-packed, and filled with applause, don’t you think?… Then again, if real life was like that, what would we watch on television?

Calvin: People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don’t realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.

Hobbes: Isn’t your pants zipper supposed to be in the front?

Life is complicated when you're trying to be a grown-up. We all have our releases, things we do to momentarily escape the stresses of school, work, financial worries, dating, and pressure to succeed. I like to snowboard, play basketball, write, or draw, but nothing brings a relaxation to my brain and a smile to my face more consistently than Calvin and his best friend, Hobbes.